Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the remarks by Lord Darzi of Denham on 23 February 2008 (Official Report, House of Lords, col. GC 27), what is the extensive communications plan to communicate the NHS Constitution; who they consulted in drawing up the plan; what is the estimated cost of implementing the plan; and whether they will place a copy of the plan in the Library of the House.
Answer
A reference group of National Health Service communications leads representing the range of NHS organisations (strategic health authorities, acute trusts, mental health trusts and primary care trusts) was involved in developing the communications strategy to support engagement with the NHS Constitution. A phased approach to communications has been put in place. The first phase is to lay the foundations for ongoing communications. Part of this phase involves making the constitution accessible to all, and supporting NHS bodies in their work to promote the constitution locally among staff and patients. The second phase focuses on engaging NHS staff with both their own rights and pledges and those of patients, so that they are well placed and equipped to have meaningful conversations with patients. This phase will be supported by a toolkit of resources, including a short film, posters, staff leaflet, messages for managers and induction, briefing presentation and an e-learning module. The third phase is to further engage patients and the public so that they are aware of their rights and responsibilities, and the NHS's pledges to them. The total cost of implementing this communications plan to date has been about £300,000.